Systems and methods for a virtual refuse vehicle

ABSTRACT

A system for digital twinning a refuse vehicle includes a refuse vehicle and a controller. The refuse vehicle includes a sensor, a device, and an electronic control system. The controller is configured to receive multiple datasets from at least one of the sensor, the device, and the electronic control system. The controller is also configured to generate a virtual refuse vehicle based on the plurality of datasets. The virtual refuse vehicle includes a visual representation of the refuse vehicle and the multiple datasets. Each of the multiple datasets are mapped to a corresponding one of the sensors or one of the electronic control systems. The controller is configured to operate a display of a user device to provide the visual representation of the refuse vehicle and one or more of the multiple datasets to a user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication. No. 62/805,763, filed Feb. 14, 2019, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to the field of refuse vehicles,and in particular, to the field of digital twinning.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a system for digital twinning a refusevehicle. The system includes a refuse vehicle and a controller. Therefuse vehicle includes a sensor, a device, and an electronic controlsystem. The controller is configured to receive multiple datasets fromat least one of the sensor, the device, or the electronic controlsystem. The controller is also configured to generate a virtual refusevehicle based on the multiple datasets. The virtual refuse vehicleincludes a visual representation of the refuse vehicle and the multipledatasets. Each of the multiple datasets are mapped to one of the sensor,the device, or the electronic control system. The controller isconfigured to operate a display of a user device to provide the visualrepresentation of the refuse vehicle and one or more of the multipledatasets to a user.

Another embodiment relates to a method for displaying information of arefuse vehicle. The method includes obtaining multiple datasets from asensor, a device, or a system of the refuse vehicle. The method alsoincludes generating a digital twin of the refuse vehicle. The digitaltwin includes the multiple datasets and a graphical representation ofthe refuse vehicle. Each dataset is mapped to a corresponding sensor,device, or system. The method also includes receiving a request, at auser device, to display the digital twin of the refuse vehicle. Themethod also includes operating a display of the user device to providethe graphical representation of the refuse vehicle and one or more ofthe multiple datasets in response to the request.

Still another embodiment relates to a cloud computing system formultiple refuse vehicles. The cloud computing system includes a clouddevice having a processor. The processor of the cloud device isconfigured to wirelessly communicate with multiple refuse vehiclecontrollers to obtain operational data of each of multiple refusevehicles. Each of the multiple refuse vehicle controllers are positionedlocally at a corresponding refuse vehicle and are configured to obtainchassis information, body information, and third party information fromsensors, systems, or devices of the corresponding refuse vehicle. Theprocessor of the cloud device is further configured to generate adigital twin for each of the multiple refuse vehicles using theoperational data. The digital twin includes a graphical representationof the corresponding refuse vehicle and the operational datacorresponding to the refuse vehicle. The cloud computing system alsoincludes a user device having a processor and a display. The processorof the user device is configured to receive one or more of the digitaltwins from the processor of the cloud device and operate the display ofthe user device to provide the graphical representation of the one ormore digital twins and the operational data that corresponds to the oneor more digital twins.

This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any waylimiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of thedevices or processes described herein will become apparent in thedetailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeelements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refuse vehicle shown to include acontroller, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the refuse vehicle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the controller of the refuse vehicle ofFIG. 1, shown to include a chassis manager, a body manager, and a thirdparty manager, and shown to be configured to transmit information to aremote server, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the chassis manager of the controller ofFIG. 3, shown in greater detail, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the body manager of the controller of FIG.3, shown in greater detail, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the third party manager of the controllerof FIG. 3, shown in greater detail, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a tabular depiction of information received by the remoteserver of FIG. 3, shown in greater detail, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a virtual refuse vehicle system shown to includea remote server, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a detailed diagram of the virtual refuse vehicle system ofFIG. 8, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a virtual refuse vehicle system, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a tabular depiction of historical information of the virtualrefuse vehicle system of FIG. 9, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a method for collecting data on a vehicle and generating adigital twin of the vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a virtual refuse vehicle system, according to anexemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, it should be understood that the presentapplication is not limited to the details or methodology set forth inthe description or illustrated in the figures. It should also beunderstood that the terminology is for the purpose of description onlyand should not be regarded as limiting.

Referring generally to the FIGURES, systems and methods for a virtualrefuse vehicle system are shown, according to various exemplaryembodiments. The virtual refuse vehicle system includes a controllerconfigured to receive information from sensors and/or control unitsdisposed in various locations on a refuse vehicle. The controller may bedisposed in any suitable location on the refuse vehicle. The informationis received and processed by the controller and transmitted to a remoteserver via a wireless radio of the controller. The remote serverincludes a virtual refuse vehicle which receives the information fromthe controller and models the information on the virtual refuse vehicle.The virtual refuse vehicle acts as a virtual twin of the refuse vehicle,and may be accessed through the remote server by a variety ofapplications. The virtual refuse vehicle may be accessed by personalcomputer devices to monitor a live view of the refuse vehicle, and maywrite time series information of the virtual refuse vehicle to a remotedatabase. In some embodiments, the virtual refuse vehicle may beaccessed by a personal computer device with administrative access andmay send commands to the controller via the remote server and thewireless radio of the controller. The commands sent to the controllermay be commands corresponding to the control units and may adjust anoperation of the control units of the refuse vehicle, resulting in anadjusted operation of the refuse vehicle.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2, a vehicle,shown as refuse vehicle 10 (e.g., a garbage truck, a waste collectiontruck, a sanitation truck, etc.), is configured as a front-loadingrefuse vehicle. In other embodiments, the refuse vehicle 10 isconfigured as a side-loading refuse vehicle, a zero radius side-loadingrefuse vehicle, or a rear-loading refuse vehicle. In still otherembodiments, the vehicle is another type of vehicle (e.g., askid-loader, a telehandler, a plow truck, a boom lift, etc.). As shownin FIGS. 1-2, the refuse vehicle 10 includes a chassis, shown as frame12; a body assembly, shown as body 14, coupled to the frame 12 (e.g., ata rear end thereof, etc.); and a cab, shown as cab 16, coupled to theframe 12 (e.g., at a front end thereof, etc.). The cab 16 may includevarious components to facilitate operation of the refuse vehicle 10 byan operator (e.g., a seat, a steering wheel, hydraulic controls, a userinterface, an acceleration pedal, a brake pedal, a clutch pedal, a gearselector, switches, buttons, dials, etc.). As shown in FIGS. 1-2, therefuse vehicle 10 includes a prime mover, shown as engine 18, coupled tothe frame 12 at a position beneath the cab 16. The engine 18 isconfigured to provide power to tractive elements, shown as wheels 20,and/or to other systems of the refuse vehicle 10 (e.g., a pneumaticsystem, a hydraulic system, etc.). The engine 18 may be configured toutilize one or more of a variety of fuels (e.g., gasoline, diesel,bio-diesel, ethanol, natural gas, etc.), according to various exemplaryembodiments. According to an alternative embodiment, the engine 18additionally or alternatively includes one or more electric motorscoupled to the frame 12 (e.g., a hybrid refuse vehicle, an electricrefuse vehicle, etc.). The electric motors may consume electrical powerfrom an on-board storage device (e.g., batteries, ultra-capacitors,etc.), from an on-board generator (e.g., an internal combustion engine,etc.), and/or from an external power source (e.g., overhead power lines,etc.) and provide power to the systems of the refuse vehicle 10.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the refuse vehicle 10 isconfigured to transport refuse from various waste receptacles within amunicipality to a storage and/or processing facility (e.g., a landfill,an incineration facility, a recycling facility, etc.). As shown in FIG.1, the body 14 includes a plurality of panels, shown as panels 32, atailgate 34, and a cover 36. The panels 32, the tailgate 34, and thecover 36 define a collection chamber (e.g., hopper, etc.), shown asrefuse compartment 30. Loose refuse may be placed into the refusecompartment 30 where it may thereafter be compacted. The refusecompartment 30 may provide temporary storage for refuse during transportto a waste disposal site and/or a recycling facility. In someembodiments, at least a portion of the body 14 and the refusecompartment 30 extend in front of the cab 16. According to theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the body 14 and the refuse compartment 30are positioned behind the cab 16. In some embodiments, the refusecompartment 30 includes a hopper volume and a storage volume. Refuse maybe initially loaded into the hopper volume and thereafter compacted intothe storage volume. According to an exemplary embodiment, the hoppervolume is positioned between the storage volume and the cab 16 (e.g.,refuse is loaded into a position of the refuse compartment 30 behind thecab 16 and stored in a position further toward the rear of the refusecompartment 30). In other embodiments, the storage volume is positionedbetween the hopper volume and the cab 16 (e.g., a rear-loading refusevehicle, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 1, the refuse vehicle 10 includes a first liftmechanism/system (e.g., a front-loading lift assembly, etc.), shown aslift assembly 40. The lift assembly 40 includes a pair of arms, shown aslift arms 42, coupled to the frame 12 and/or the body 14 on either sideof the refuse vehicle 10 such that the lift arms 42 extend forward ofthe cab 16 (e.g., a front-loading refuse vehicle, etc.). In otherembodiments, the lift assembly 40 extends rearward of the body 14 (e.g.,a rear-loading refuse vehicle, etc.). In still other embodiments, thelift assembly 40 extends from a side of the body 14 (e.g., aside-loading refuse vehicle, etc.). The lift arms 42 may be rotatablycoupled to frame 12 with a pivot (e.g., a lug, a shaft, etc.). As shownin FIG. 1, the lift assembly 40 includes first actuators, shown as liftarm actuators 44 (e.g., hydraulic cylinders, etc.), coupled to the frame12 and the lift arms 42. The lift arm actuators 44 are positioned suchthat extension and retraction thereof rotates the lift arms 42 about anaxis extending through the pivot, according to an exemplary embodiment.Lift arms 42 may be removably coupled to a container, shown as refusecontainer 200 in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, lift arms 42 include apair of grabber fingers rotatably coupled to lift arms 42 and eachconfigured to rotate about an axis extending through a pivot point ofeach of the grabber fingers. The grabber fingers may each rotate aboutthe axis extending through the pivot point of each of the grabberfingers such that the grabber fingers grasp a refuse container. The liftarms 42 may then rotate about the axis extending through the pivot toempty contents of the refuse container in the refuse compartment 30.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-2, the refuse vehicle 10 is shown to includean engine control module, shown as engine control unit (ECU) 19,according to an exemplary embodiment. ECU 19 is configured tocommunicably connect with engine 18 and to control operations of engine18. In some embodiments, ECU 19 communicably connects with sensors ofengine 18 and controls operations of actuators of engine 18. The sensorswhich ECU 19 communicably connects with may be at least one of an airflow sensor, a mass airflow sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperaturesensor, an engine speed sensor, an exhaust oxygen sensor, a throttleposition sensor, a coolant temperature sensor, a manifold absolutepressure sensor, a crankshaft sensor, a camshaft sensor, or any othersensors relevant to the operation of engine 18. ECU 19 may receive theinformation from at least one of the sensors and may determine anadjustment of operation of engine 18. ECU 19 may include a processingcircuit and memory configured to receive the information from thesensors through a communications interface and may use any of a lookuptable, a graph, an equation, a set of rules, a set of conditions, etc.,stored in the memory of ECU 19 to determine the operational adjustmentof engine 18. ECU 19 may be configured to implement the operationaladjustment of engine 18 by transmitting signals to controllersconfigured to adjust an operation of at least one of a fuel injectionquantity, a timing angle, an air to fuel ratio of fuel injected, an idlespeed, engine valves, etc., of engine 18.

Referring to FIG. 2, the refuse vehicle 10 is shown to include a gearsystem, shown as transmission 22 and a transmission control module,shown as transmission control unit (TCU) 23, according to an exemplaryembodiment. Transmission 22 is configured to receive a torque outputfrom engine 18 through a connecting shaft, adjust the torque output ofengine 18, and supply the adjusted torque output of engine 18 to wheels20. Transmission 22 may be any of a torque converter automatictransmission, a manual transmission, an automatic manual transmission, acontinuously variable transmission, a dual-clutch transmission, a directshift gearbox transmission, or any other torque converting device, andmay include any number of gears, clutches, pulleys, and/or configurationof gears, clutches, and pulleys to adjust the torque output of engine18.

TCU 23 is configured to receive information from sensors relevant tooperation of transmission 22, and to control operations of transmission22 based on the information received from the sensors. TCU 23 mayreceive information from sensors and systems such as a cruise controlsystem, a brake light switch, fluid pressure sensors, a kick-downswitch, a throttle position sensor, a transmission fluid temperaturesensor, a turbine or input speed sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a wheelsensor, etc. TCU 23 may receive the information from at least one of thesensors/systems and may determine an adjustment of operation oftransmission 22 based on the information. TCU 23 may include aprocessing circuit and memory configured to receive the information fromthe sensors/systems through a communications interface and may use anyof a lookup table, a graph, an equation, a set of rules, a set ofconditions, etc., stored in the memory of TCU 23 to determine theoperational adjustment of transmission 22. TCU 23 may be configured toimplement the operational adjustment of transmission 22 by transmittingsignals to controllers and/or other devices, such as a shift lock, shiftsolenoids, pressure control solenoids, a torque converter clutchsolenoid, ECU 19, etc.

Referring to FIG. 1, refuse vehicle 10 is shown to include lift assemblysensors, shown as lift arm sensors 46, according to an exemplaryembodiment. Lift arm sensors 46 are positioned at any position where thelift assembly 40 is configured to pivot. Lift arm sensors 46 areconfigured to determine an angle of a pivot point of lift assembly 40.In some embodiments, lift arm sensors 46 measure a quantity of hydraulicfluid which has entered or exited a chamber of lift arm actuators 44.

Referring to FIG. 2, refuse vehicle 10 is shown to include a fuelsensor, shown as fuel level sensor 24, and a wheel sensor, shown aswheel speed sensor 26, according to an exemplary embodiment. In someembodiments, the wheel sensor is or includes a tire pressure sensor.According to an exemplary embodiment, fuel level sensor 24 includes avariable resistor configured to change in resistance as a fuel level ofa tank, shown as fuel tank 28, changes. Wheel speed sensor 26 may be amagnetic inductive sensor, or a magneto resistive sensor, according tovarious embodiments, and is configured to determine a speed (e.g., arotational velocity, a linear velocity at a diameter of one of wheels20, etc.) of one of wheels 20, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring still to FIG. 2, the refuse vehicle 10 is shown to include acentral module, shown as controller 300, according to an exemplaryembodiment. Controller 300 is configured to receive information from anyof, but not limited to, control modules (e.g., ECU 19, TCU 23, etc.) andsensors (e.g., wheel speed sensor 26, fuel level sensor 24, etc.)describe with reference to FIGS. 1-2, according to an exemplaryembodiment. Controller 300 may communicably connect to any electroniccontrol module, control unit, and/or sensor of refuse vehicle 10,including but not limited to, ECU 19, TCU 23, a Powertrain ControlModule (PCM), a Brake Control Module (BCM), a Central Control Module(CCM), a Central Timing Module (CTM), a General Electronic Module (GEM),a Body Control Module (BCM), a Suspension Control Module (SCM), anABS/traction control/stability control module, an airbag (SRS) module,an anti-theft module, a cruise control module, an electronic steeringmodule, a fuel pump control module, an injector driver module, aninstrument cluster control module, a keyless entry module, a lightingmodule, a transfer case module, a wiper motor control module, a vehiclecommunications module, an HVAC module, etc., or any other electroniccontrol units of refuse vehicle 10. Additionally, any of the electronicmodules listed above may receive inputs from a variety of sensorsdisposed about refuse vehicle 10. Controller 300 may be communicablyconnected to any of the above listed modules, such that controller 300monitors any information sent or received by any of the above listedmodules. In some embodiments, controller 300 may be configured to onlymonitor/receive information sent/received by any of the modules listedabove, while in other embodiments, controller 300 is also configured toadjust an operation of any of the modules listed above.

Controller 300 may be configured to receive information regarding achassis of the refuse vehicle 10 (e.g., ECU 19, TCU 23, etc.), a body ofthe refuse vehicle 10 (e.g., pneumatics, hydraulics, sensors, cameras,electronics, Human-Machine-Interface (HMI), GPS, etc.), and a 3^(rd)party system present on refuse vehicle 10 (e.g., an object detectionsystem, a driver behavior system, an Advanced Driver Assistance System(ADAS), a safety system, a weight system, etc.), according to anexemplary embodiment. According to an exemplary embodiment, controller300 receives information from the chassis of the vehicle and the body ofthe vehicle through an infrastructure already present on the refusevehicle 10. For example, controller 300 may be configured tocommunicably connect with ECU 19, such that controller 300 may receiveinformation regarding engine 18, without an additional system/sensorsneeding to be added. Advantageously, this allows controller 300 tocollect/monitor information from the refuse vehicle 10 without needingan additional system of sensors to be installed.

Controller 300 may also receive information from a third party systempresent on refuse vehicle 10. For example, a third party GlobalPositioning System (GPS) device may be disposed on refuse vehicle 10 andmay communicably connect with controller 300. Other third party systemsmay include, but are not limited to an object detection system, a driverbehavior system, an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), a safetysystem, a weight system, etc. Controller 300 may receive and monitorinformation from any of these third party systems, according to anexemplary embodiment.

Controller 300 may communicably connect to any of the chassis, body, andthird party systems as described above with reference to FIGS. 1-2. Insome embodiments, controller 300 may communicably connect with anon-board diagnostics (OBD) system of refuse vehicle 10. For example,controller 300 may communicably connect to an OBD II system of refusevehicle 10 and may monitor/access any information present on the OBD IIsystem of refuse vehicle 10.

In some embodiments, controller 300 may communicably connect to avehicle bus of refuse vehicle 10. The vehicle bus of refuse vehicle 10may be a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, a Local Interconnect Network(LIN) bus, a Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) bus, an SAE J1850bus, an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I²C) bus, etc., or any other buscommonly used in the automotive industry. Controller 300 may beconfigured to communicably connect with the vehicle bus to monitor andreceive any of the information transmitted through the vehicle bus.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a detailed block diagram of controller 300 isshown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Controller 300 is shown toinclude a circuit, shown as processing circuit 302, a processor, shownas processor 305, and memory, shown as memory 304, according to anexemplary embodiment. Controller 300 may be implemented as ageneral-purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), adigital-signal-processor (DSP), circuits containing one or moreprocessing components, circuitry for supporting a microprocessor, agroup of processing components, or other suitable electronic processingcomponents. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3,controller 300 includes processing circuit 302 and a memory 304.Processing circuit 302 may include an ASIC, one or more FPGAs, a DSP,circuits containing one or more processing components, circuitry forsupporting a microprocessor, a group of processing components, or othersuitable electronic processing components (e.g., processor 305). In someembodiments, processing circuit 302 is configured to execute computercode stored in memory 304 to facilitate the activities described herein.Memory 304 may be any volatile or non-volatile computer-readable storagemedium capable of storing data or computer code relating to theactivities described herein. According to an exemplary embodiment,memory 304 includes computer code modules (e.g., executable code, objectcode, source code, script code, machine code, etc.) configured forexecution by processing circuit 302. Memory 304 includes variousactuation profiles corresponding to modes of operation (e.g., fortransmission 22, for drive system 100, for a vehicle, etc.), accordingto an exemplary embodiment. In some embodiments, controller 300 mayrepresent a collection of processing devices (e.g., servers, datacenters, etc.). In such cases, processing circuit 302 represents thecollective processors of the devices, and memory 304 represents thecollective storage devices of the devices.

Controller 300 is shown receiving vehicle data through a communicationsport, shown as communications interface 312, according to the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 3. The vehicle data received throughcommunications interface 312 may be any of the information received bycontroller 300, described above with reference to FIGS. 2-3 (e.g.,information from the vehicle bus, ECU 19, TCU 23, fuel level sensor 24,wheel speed sensor 26, third party systems, etc.), according to someembodiments. Communications interface 312 may include wired or wirelessinterfaces (e.g., antennas, transmitters, transceivers, wire terminals,etc.) for conducting data communications with any of the modules,systems, and sensors as described above with reference to FIGS. 1-2.

Referring still to FIG. 3, controller 300 is shown to include a powerinterface, shown as power interface 314, according to an exemplaryembodiment. Power interface 314 may be configured to receive electricalpower (e.g., AC or DC electrical power) from a power supply (e.g., abattery) to power controller 300, according to some embodiments. In someembodiments, power interface 314 may be a power circuit including one ormore circuits configured to power controller 300. The power circuit maycontain transformers, filters, rectifiers, voltage regulators,resistors, transistors, capacitors, etc., configured to power controller300 from the power source. The power source may be any type of battery,combination of batteries, capacitors, and/or another energy storagedevice. In some embodiments, the power source is a Lithium-Ion battery,or a Nickel-Cadmium battery. In some embodiments, the power source is abattery disposed on refuse vehicle 10 and configured to charge fromrefuse vehicle 10.

Referring still to FIG. 3, controller 300 is shown to include modules,shown as chassis manager 306, body manager 308, and third party manager310, according to an exemplary embodiment. Each of chassis manager 306,body manager 308, and third party manager 310 may be configured toperform data processing on the vehicle data received throughcommunications interface 312, according to some embodiments. Vehicledata received through communications interface 312 may be validated,sorted, summarized, aggregated, reported, filtered, classified, grouped,etc., according to some embodiments. For example, in an exemplaryembodiment, each of chassis manager 306, body manager 308, and thirdparty manager 310 are configured to receive the vehicle data, sort thevehicle data into one of three categories (e.g., a chassis datacategory, a body data category, and a third party data category), andconvert the vehicle data into time-series data. For example, chassismanager 306 may receive the vehicle data, filter out non-chassis relateddata, and convert remaining filtered chassis data into time-series data,according to an exemplary embodiment. Likewise, body manager 308 andthird party manager 310 may be configured to receive the vehicle data,filter out non-body or non-third party data, respectively, and convertthe filtered body or third party data into time-series data, accordingto an exemplary embodiment. Each of chassis manager 306, body manager308, and third party manager 310 may use any of an equation, a set ofequations, a set of rules, a lookup table, a graph, a set of conditions,a decision tree, an algorithm, etc., to validate, sort, summarize,aggregate, report, filter, classify, group, etc., the vehicle datareceived through communications interface 312. The equation, set ofequations, set of rules, lookup table, graph, set of conditions,decision tree, algorithm, etc., may be stored in memory 304 and accessedby any of chassis manager 306, body manager 308, and third party manager310, according to some embodiments.

Referring still to FIG. 3, controller 300 is shown to include a wirelessradio, shown as wireless radio 318, according to an exemplaryembodiment. Wireless radio 318 may be any kind of wireless transmitterand/or receiver (e.g., a cellular dongle), configured to wirelesslycommunicably connect controller 300 with at least one of a remote server320, a personal computer device 316, and a network, according to someembodiments. In some embodiments, wireless radio 318 is a cellulardongle and is configured to provide controller 300 with Internet accessby connecting controller 300 to a cellular tower via a 2G network, a 3Gnetwork, an LTE network, etc. In some embodiments, wireless radio 318communicates via Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee, etc.

Referring still to FIG. 3, controller 300 is shown to communicablyconnect with at least one of personal computer device 316, and remoteserver 320 via wireless radio 318, according to an exemplary embodiment.Personal computer device 316 may be any of a smartphone, a laptopcomputer, or any other personal computer device with Internet access, ora Bluetooth, WiFi, or Zigbee transceiver. Controller 300 may transmitprocessed vehicle data (e.g., time series data) to any of personalcomputer device 316 and remote server 320, according to an exemplaryembodiment. In some embodiments, controller 300 transmits an element oftime series data to any of personal computer device 316 and remoteserver 320. For example, controller 300 may transmit a data value (e.g.,fuel level) and a time of day and date which corresponds to the datavalue. In some embodiments, controller 300 may transmit unprocessedvehicle data, or both processed and unprocessed vehicle data to at leastone of personal computer device 316 and remote server 320.

Referring still to FIG. 3, controller is shown to receive informationfrom at least one of personal computer device 316 and remote server 320through wireless radio 318, according to some embodiments. In someembodiments, the information received by controller 300 through wirelessradio 318 from at least one of personal computer device 316 and remoteserver 320 is at least one of a request and a command. For example,personal computer device 316 or remote server 320 may send a request forparticular data from controller 300 (e.g., the vehicle speed at apresent moment in time). Controller 300 may receive the request, andreturn the requested data to personal computer device 316 and/or remoteserver 320. In some embodiments, personal computer device 316 and remoteserver 320 may send a command to controller 300 through wireless radio318. The command may be a command to adjust an operation of acontrollable/reprogrammable device (e.g., ECU 19) of at least one of thechassis, the body, and the third party systems. In some embodiments,controller 300 may be configured to convert the command into a controlsignal and supply the control signal to the controllable/reprogrammabledevice. In some embodiments, chassis manager 306, body manager 308, andthird party manager 310 may be configured to receive the command anddetermine the control signal for a device relating to the chassis, body,and third party systems, respectively.

Controller 300 may transmit at least one of processed vehicle data andunprocessed vehicle data to at least one of personal computer device 316and remote server 320 upon request (as described in greater detailabove), or over time intervals, according to some embodiments. Forexample, the time interval may be any time value (e.g., five seconds, aminute, ten minutes, an hour, etc.), and controller 300 may transmit atleast one of processed vehicle data and unprocessed vehicle data afterevery time interval (e.g., every five seconds, every minutes, every tenminutes, every hour, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment,controller 300 transmits time-series data (e.g., processed vehicle data)to remote sever 320 where the time-series data is stored. For example,controller 300 may transmit data points regarding a speed of the refusevehicle 10 every 5 seconds to remote server 320, as well as acorresponding data and time of day for each data point (e.g., at15:02:05 PM on 2018 May, 3:35 mph, at 15:02:10 PM on 2018 May, 3:40 mph,etc.). In some embodiments controller 300 also transmits a uniqueidentification number/value of the refuse vehicle 10 with every datatransmission to the personal computer device 316 and/or remote server320. Advantageously, this may allow the transmitted data to be sorted byrefuse vehicle if remote server 320 and/or personal computer device 316receive data transmissions from multiple refuse vehicles (e.g., a fleetof refuse vehicles).

In some embodiments, controller 300 is configured to use a mappingbetween either the processed vehicle data and the unprocessed vehicledata and the various sensors, devices, actuators, systems, etc., of therefuse vehicle 10 from which the unprocessed vehicle data is collected.The mapping may include a rule, a set of rules, identifiers, etc., thatmap the unprocessed or processed vehicle data to the sensors, devices,actuators, systems, etc., from which the unprocessed vehicle data wasobtained. For example, processed vehicle data that relates to a fuellevel or a position of the refuse vehicle 10 as obtained by a particularfuel sensor or a particular global positioning system (GPS) may beassigned a particular identifier, serial number, etc., or may includethe particular identifier or serial number that is read from theparticular fuel sensor or GPS. In some embodiments, processed orunprocessed vehicle data includes a tag, a label, or an identifier thatindicates a type of data. For example, speed data obtained from a wheelspeed sensor of the refuse vehicle 10 may be assigned a “velocity” tagby controller 300 (or by remote server 320) so that remote server 320may provide “velocity” data in response to a user request for speed dataof the refuse vehicle 10. In some embodiments, each sensor, system,device, etc., of refuse vehicle 10 includes a corresponding tag,identifier, label, identification number, serial number, deviceidentifier, sensor identifier, etc., and processed or unprocessed dataobtained from each sensor, system, device, etc., includes a tag, label,or identifier. The mapping may be a mapping between the various tags,labels, identifiers, etc., of the processed or unprocessed data and thetag, identifier, label, identification number, serial number, deviceidentifier, sensor identifier, etc., of the various systems, actuators,sensors, devices, etc., of the refuse vehicle. In this way, remoteserver 320 and/or controller 300 may use the mapping to match theprocessed or unprocessed vehicle data to a specific sensor, system,device, actuator, etc., of the refuse vehicle 10 or to a particularsensor of a particular refuse vehicle 10.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the chassis manager 306 of the controller 300of FIG. 3 is shown in greater detail, according to an exemplaryembodiment. Chassis manager 306 is shown to include multiplesub-modules, shown as ECU sub-manager 402, TCU sub-manager 404, fuelsub-manager 406, and wheel sub-manager 408. Each of ECU sub-manager 402,TCU sub-manager 404, fuel sub-manager 406, and wheel sub-manager 408 maybe configured to validate, sort, summarize, aggregate, report, filter,classify, group, etc., any of the unprocessed vehicle data relevant tothe ECU 19, TCU 23, fuel level sensor 24, and wheel speed sensor 26,respectively. For example, each of ECU sub-manager 402, TCU sub-manager404, fuel sub-manager 406, and wheel sub-manager 408 may be configuredto convert the unprocessed vehicle data relevant to the ECU 19, TCU 23,fuel level sensor 24, and wheel speed sensor 26, respectively, intotime-series data.

Each of ECU sub-manager 402, TCU sub-manager 404, fuel sub-manager 406,and wheel sub-manager 408 may use any of an equation, a set ofequations, a set of rules, a lookup table, a graph, a set of conditions,a decision tree, an algorithm, etc., to validate, sort, summarize,aggregate, report, filter, classify, group, etc., the unprocessed datarelevant to the ECU 19, TCU 23, fuel level sensor 24, and wheel speedsensor 26, respectively. For example, if fuel level sensor 24 outputs avoltage value, and the voltage value correlates to a fuel level (e.g.,gallons remaining in fuel tank 28, height of fluid in fuel tank 28,percent of fuel remaining in fuel tank 28), fuel sub-manager 406 may useany of an equation, a set of equations, a set of rules, a lookup table,a graph, a set of conditions, a decision tree, an algorithm, etc., todetermine the fuel level based on the voltage value. An associated time,date, and unique vehicle identification number/value may also beassigned to the fuel level determined based on the voltage value.Likewise, ECU sub-manager 402 may determine, for example, a time seriesvalue of an RPM of the engine 18, and similarly apply an associatedtime, date, and unique vehicle identification number/value to the timeseries RPM engine value.

Likewise, TCU sub-manager 404 and wheel sub-manager 408 may beconfigured to determine a time series value with an associated time,date, and unique vehicle identification number/value of any datarelevant to the TCU 23 and wheels 20 of the refuse vehicle 10, accordingto some embodiments. The data relevant to the TCU 23 may be any of atransmission RPM data, an output torque, an engaged gear, a transmissionfluid temperature, etc., and the data relevant to the wheels 20 may beany of a wheel speed, a tire pressure, etc.

Chassis manager 306 may include any number of modules or sub-managers,each configured to validate, sort, summarize, aggregate, report, filter,classify, group, etc., unprocessed vehicle data relevant to a particularsensor, control unit, vehicle module, etc., and, in some embodiments,each of the sub-managers may output a time series value with acorresponding time, date, and unique vehicle identificationnumber/value.

Likewise, some of the sub-managers of chassis manager 306 may beconfigured to generate control signals for a controllable/reprogrammablecontrol unit (e.g., ECU 19 and TCU 23). For example, ECU sub-manager 402may receive a command indicating an adjusted max RPM of engine 18. ECUsub-manager 402 may be configured to determine a control signal whichachieves the adjusted max RPM of engine 18, and may output the controlsignal to ECU 19 to adjust the max RPM of engine 18.

Referring now to FIG. 5, body manager 308 is shown in greater detail,according to an exemplary embodiment. In some embodiments, body manager308 includes a pneumatics sub-manager 502, a hydraulics sub-manager 504,a sensors sub-manager 506, a cameras sub-manager 508, an electronicssub-manager 510, a Human-Machine-Interface (HMI) sub-manager 512, and aGlobal Positioning System (GPS) sub-manager 514. Each of pneumaticssub-manager 502, hydraulics sub-manager 504, sensors sub-manager 506,cameras sub-manager 508, electronics sub-manager 510, HMI sub-manager512, and GPS sub-manager 514 may be configured to operate similarly tosub-managers 402-408 of chassis manager 306, as described in furtherdetail above with reference to FIG. 4 to output a time-series data valuewith a corresponding date, time, and unique vehicle identificationnumber/value. For example, pneumatics sub-manager 502 may receive avoltage value corresponding to an operation of a pneumatic device on thebody of refuse vehicle 10 (e.g., a pneumatic cylinder). Pneumaticssub-manager 502 may use any of an equation, a set of equations, a set ofrules, a lookup table, a graph, a set of conditions, a decision tree, analgorithm, etc., to validate, sort, summarize, aggregate, report,filter, classify, group, etc., or determine a time series value with acorresponding date, time, and unique vehicle identification number/valuerelevant to the pneumatic device (e.g., a degree of extension of apneumatic cylinder on a specific date, at a specific time, for aspecific refuse vehicle).

Hydraulics sub-manager 504 may be configured to validate, sort,summarize, aggregate, report, filter, classify, group, etc., ordetermine a time series value with a corresponding date, time, andunique vehicle identification number/value relevant to a hydraulicdevice (e.g., a degree of extension of extension of a hydrauliccylinder, an angle defined by one or more arms of a lift assembly,etc.), by using an equation, a set of equations, a set of rules, alookup table, a graph, a set of conditions, a decision tree, analgorithm, etc. Sensors sub-manager 506 may be configured to validate,sort, summarize, aggregate, report, filter, classify, group, etc., ordetermine a time series value with a corresponding date, time, andunique vehicle identification number/value relevant to a sensor (e.g., alight sensor, a weight sensor, a temperature sensor, etc.) on the bodyof the refuse vehicle 10, by using an equation, a set of equations, aset of rules, a lookup table, a graph, a set of conditions, a decisiontree, an algorithm, etc. Cameras sub-manager 508 may be configured tovalidate, sort, summarize, aggregate, report, filter, classify, group,etc., or determine a time series value with a corresponding date, time,and unique vehicle identification number/value relevant to a camera orcameras (e.g., a security camera) on the body of the refuse vehicle 10,by using an equation, a set of equations, a set of rules, a lookuptable, a graph, a set of conditions, a decision tree, an algorithm, etc.

Electronics sub-manager 510 may be configured to validate, sort,summarize, aggregate, report, filter, classify, group, etc., ordetermine a time series value with a corresponding date, time, andunique vehicle identification number/value relevant to an electronicsub-manager (e.g., a lift arm engagement switch) on the body of therefuse vehicle 10, by using an equation, a set of equations, a set ofrules, a lookup table, a graph, a set of conditions, a decision tree, analgorithm, etc. HMI sub-manager 512 may be configured to validate, sort,summarize, aggregate, report, filter, classify, group, etc., ordetermine a time series value with a corresponding date, time, andunique vehicle identification number/value relevant to an HMI (e.g., auser interface, an accelerator pedal sensor, a brake pedal sensor, adegree of a turn of a steering wheel, etc.) on the body of the refusevehicle 10, by using an equation, a set of equations, a set of rules, alookup table, a graph, a set of conditions, a decision tree, analgorithm, etc. GPS sub-manager 514 may be configured to validate, sort,summarize, aggregate, report, filter, classify, group, etc., ordetermine a time series value with a corresponding date, time, andunique vehicle identification number/value relevant to a GPS device(e.g., a GPS receiver) on the body of the refuse vehicle 10, by using anequation, a set of equations, a set of rules, a lookup table, a graph, aset of conditions, a decision tree, an algorithm, etc.

In some embodiments, the validation, sorting, summarization,aggregation, reporting, filtering, classifying, grouping, etc.,processes of each of pneumatics sub-manager 502, hydraulics sub-manager504, sensors sub-manager 506, cameras sub-manager 508, electronicssub-manager 510, HMI sub-manager 512, and GPS sub-manager 514, aredifferent due to each of pneumatics sub-manager 502, hydraulicssub-manager 504, sensors sub-manager 506, cameras sub-manager 508,electronics sub-manager 510, HMI sub-manager 512, and GPS sub-manager514 using a different equation, set of equations, set of rules, lookuptable, graph, set of conditions, decision tree, algorithm, etc., toprocess the unprocessed vehicle data and determine a time series valuewith a corresponding date, time, and unique vehicle identificationnumber/value.

Some of pneumatics sub-manager 502, hydraulics sub-manager 504, sensorssub-manager 506, cameras sub-manager 508, electronics sub-manager 510,HMI sub-manager 512, and GPS sub-manager 514 may be configured togenerate control signals similarly to ECU sub-manager 402 of FIG. 4, ifthe device which pneumatics sub-manager 502, hydraulics sub-manager 504,sensors sub-manager 506, cameras sub-manager 508, electronicssub-manager 510, HMI sub-manager 512, and GPS sub-manager 514 relate toare controllable/reprogrammable.

Body manager 308 may include any number of modules or sub-managers, eachconfigured to validate, sort, summarize, aggregate, report, filter,classify, group, etc., unprocessed vehicle data relevant to a particularsensor, control unit, vehicle module, etc., and, in some embodiments,each of the sub-managers may output a time series value with acorresponding time, date, and unique vehicle identificationnumber/value.

Referring now to FIG. 6, third party manager 310 is shown in greaterdetail, according to an exemplary embodiment. Third party manager 310may include an object detection system sub-manager 602, a driverbehavior system sub-manager 604, an advanced driver-assistance system(ADAS) sub-manager 606, a safety system sub-manager 608, and a weightingsystem sub-manager 610, according to some embodiments. Each of objectdetection system sub-manager 602, driver behavior system sub-manager604, ADAS sub-manager 606, safety system sub-manager 608, and weightingsystem sub-manager 610 may be configured to operate similarly tosub-managers 402-408 of chassis manager 306, as described in furtherdetail above with reference to FIG. 4 and similarly to sub-managers502-514 of body manager 308 as described in further detail above withreference to FIG. 5 to output a time-series data value with acorresponding date, time, and unique vehicle identificationnumber/value. Object detection system sub-manager 602 may be configuredto validate, sort, summarize, aggregate, report, filter, classify,group, etc., or determine a time series value with a corresponding date,time, and unique vehicle identification number/value relevant to anobject detection system (e.g., a camera-based object detection systemthat may use edge detection, contrast detection, machine learningalgorithms, etc., to detect objects) disposed on the refuse vehicle 10,by using an equation, a set of equations, a set of rules, a lookuptable, a graph, a set of conditions, a decision tree, an algorithm, etc.Driver behavior system sub-manager 604 may be configured to validate,sort, summarize, aggregate, report, filter, classify, group, etc., ordetermine a time series value with a corresponding date, time, andunique vehicle identification number/value relevant to a driver behaviorsystem (e.g., a system to monitor and classify driving habits) disposedon the refuse vehicle 10, by using an equation, a set of equations, aset of rules, a lookup table, a graph, a set of conditions, a decisiontree, an algorithm, etc. ADAS sub-manager 606 may be configured tovalidate, sort, summarize, aggregate, report, filter, classify, group,etc., or determine a time series value with a corresponding date, time,and unique vehicle identification number/value relevant to an advanceddriver-assistance system (e.g., a system which monitors and determinessafety risks and either notifies a vehicle operator or implements achange to the vehicle operation to enhance safety) disposed on therefuse vehicle 10, by using an equation, a set of equations, a set ofrules, a lookup table, a graph, a set of conditions, a decision tree, analgorithm, etc. Safety system sub-manager 608 may be configured tovalidate, sort, summarize, aggregate, report, filter, classify, group,etc., or determine a time series value with a corresponding date, time,and unique vehicle identification number/value relevant to a vehiclesafety system (e.g., a driver alertness detection system configured tomonitor at least one of driving patterns, steering patterns, a driver'seyes, etc., to prevent the driver from falling asleep while operatingrefuse vehicle 10) disposed on the refuse vehicle 10, by using anequation, a set of equations, a set of rules, a lookup table, a graph, aset of conditions, a decision tree, an algorithm, etc. Weighting systemsub-manager 610 may be configured to validate, sort, summarize,aggregate, report, filter, classify, group, etc., or determine a timeseries value with a corresponding date, time, and unique vehicleidentification number/value relevant to a weighting system module (e.g.,a system that monitors the weight of the refuse vehicle and may usestrain gauges) disposed on the refuse vehicle 10, by using an equation,a set of equations, a set of rules, a lookup table, a graph, a set ofconditions, a decision tree, an algorithm, etc.

In some embodiments, the validation, sorting, summarization,aggregation, reporting, filtering, classifying, grouping, etc.,processes of each of object detection system sub-manager 602, driverbehavior system sub-manager 604, ADAS sub-manager 606, safety systemsub-manager 608, and weighting system sub-manager 610 are different dueto each of object detection system sub-manager 602, driver behaviorsystem sub-manager 604, ADAS sub-manager 606, safety system sub-manager608, and weighting system sub-manager 610 using a different equation,set of equations, set of rules, lookup table, graph, set of conditions,decision tree, algorithm, etc.

Some of object detection system sub-manager 602, driver behavior systemsub-manager 604, ADAS sub-manager 606, safety system sub-manager 608,and weighting system sub-manager 610 may be configured to generatecontrol signals similarly to ECU sub-manager 402 of FIG. 4, if thesystem which object detection system sub-manager 602, driver behaviorsystem sub-manager 604, ADAS sub-manager 606, safety system sub-manager608, and weighting system sub-manager 610 relate to arecontrollable/reprogrammable.

Third party manager 310 may include any number of modules orsub-managers, each configured to validate, sort, summarize, aggregate,report, filter, classify, group, etc., unprocessed vehicle data relevantto a particular third party system and, in some embodiments, each of thesub-managers may output a time series value with a corresponding time,date, and unique vehicle identification number/value.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a time-series dataset 700 which may betransmitted by controller 300 is shown, according to an illustrativeembodiment. The time-series dataset 700 is shown to include a vehicleidentification number. This may advantageously allow the time-seriesdataset 700 to be categorized such that it can be differentiated fromtime-series data of other refuse vehicles. The set of time-series datashown in FIG. 7 includes speed, latitude, longitude, and fuel level,according to an illustrative embodiment. In some embodiments, thetime-series dataset 700 includes any other data which controller 300 maybe configured to receive from refuse vehicle 10 and transmit. In someembodiments, the time-series dataset 700 includes only speed, latitude,longitude, and fuel level due to the time-series dataset 700 being sentin response to a request to receive only speed, latitude, longitude, andfuel level from a specific refuse vehicle.

Referring still to FIG. 7, the time-series dataset 700 is shown to havea time step of ten seconds, according to some embodiments. Each of thespeed, latitude, longitude, and fuel level data points correspond to theten-second time step (e.g., speed, latitude, longitude and fuel level at06:05:10; speed, latitude, longitude, and fuel level at 06:05:20, etc.).In some embodiments, the time-step is determined by the request sent tothe controller (e.g., a request for speed, latitude, longitude, and fuellevel data every ten seconds). In some embodiments, the time-step isdetermined by a default value of the controller 300 and the time-seriesdataset 700 may include all of the data received/collected/monitored bycontroller 300 from the refuse vehicle 10. In some embodiments, thetime-step is determined by a refresh rate of the controller 300.Time-series dataset 700 may include all, or some of the datareceived/collected/monitored by controller 300 from the refuse vehicle10.

Referring still to FIG. 7, the time-series dataset 700 is shown toinclude speed time-series data. The speed time-series data may bedetermined by controller 300 from information from a wheel speed sensor,a speedometer, and/or a TCU of refuse vehicle 10, according to someembodiments. From the speed time series data, it can be seen that therefuse vehicle 10 undergoes a relatively constant speed of 35 mph untilapproximately 06:07:10 when the speed of the refuse vehicle 10 decreasesuntil it reaches a speed of 0 mph at 06:07:30. From the speedtime-series data and the time of the speed time-series data, an averageacceleration can be determined. In some embodiments, the averageacceleration is determined by a device which receives the time-seriesdataset 700 (e.g., personal computer device 316 or remote server 320).The average acceleration may be used to monitor braking and accelerationhabits of an operator of the refuse vehicle 10, or to determinecollision events, sudden braking events, etc. Additionally, the speed ofthe refuse vehicle 10 may be validated using the latitude/longitude andtime of the time-series dataset 700. For example, the latitude andlongitude data may be used to determine a change in distance over onetime step, and the value of the time step may be used with the change indistance to determine average velocity over the time step.

The latitude and longitude time-series data may be used to monitor aroute of the refuse vehicle 10, and to determine an amount of time ittakes refuse vehicle 10 to complete the route. The latitude andlongitude time-series data may also be used to determine if the refusevehicle 10 is driven to a location outside of the route, according tosome embodiments. In some embodiments, the latitude and longitudetime-series data may be used to determine a direction of travel ofrefuse vehicle 10 and may be used to determine turns made by refusevehicle 10. Time-series dataset 700 is also shown to include fueltime-series data, according to the illustrative embodiment. The fueltime-series data may be used to monitor a fuel level of refuse vehicle10, to determine an amount of fuel required for refuse vehicle 10 toperform a particular route, to determine segments of the route whichconsume the most fuel, etc. The fuel time-series data may also be usedto determine driving habits of the operation of refuse vehicle 10. Forexample, the fuel time-series data may be used to determine inefficientdriving habits (e.g., hash accelerations), and may also be used todetermine fuel efficiency of the refuse vehicle 10. For example, thelatitude and longitude time-series data may be used to determine thedistance travelled over a time period, and the fuel time-series data maybe used to determine an amount of fuel consumed over the time period.The distance travelled over the time period and the amount of fuelconsumed over the time period may be used to calculate fuel efficiencyover the time period.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a virtual refuse vehicle system 800 is shown,according to an illustrative embodiment. Virtual refuse vehicle system800 is shown to include a vehicle, shown as refuse vehicle 10 and aserver, shown as remote server 320. Remote server 320 is shown toinclude a digital twin, shown as virtual refuse vehicle 11, according tothe illustrative embodiment. Remote server 320 is shown to receiveinformation from controller 300 of refuse vehicle 10, and uses thereceived information from controller 300 to generate virtual refusevehicle 11. For example, controller 300 is shown receiving informationfrom a wheel sensor, shown as wheel speed sensor 26, a lift arm sensor,shown as lift arm sensor 46, a fuel level sensor, shown as fuel levelsensor 24, a pressure sensor, shown as tire pressure sensor 801, aweight sensor, shown as weight sensor 803, and a GPS transceiver, shownas GPS transceiver 805, and sending the information to remote server 320according to the illustrative embodiment. Remote server 320 is shownreceiving the information from controller 300 and using the informationto generate virtual refuse vehicle 11. Virtual refuse vehicle 11 may bea digital twin of refuse vehicle 10, and may include any or all of theinformation received from controller 300 to model and display alive-view of refuse vehicle 10.

Virtual refuse vehicle 11 is shown displaying the wheel speed, fuellevel, tire pressure, weight, global position, and arm angle of virtualrefuse vehicle 11, which corresponds to the wheel speed, fuel level,tire pressure, weight, global position, and arm angle of refuse vehicle10. Virtual refuse vehicle 11 may model any of an operational status, adynamic state, and properties of refuse vehicle 10, according to someembodiments. In some embodiments, various devices and/or applicationsmay be configured to access and monitor virtual refuse vehicle 11 byconnecting to remote server 320. Remote server 320 is shown communicablyconnected to any of personal computer device 316, an Enterprise ResourcePlanning (ERP) system 802, a maintenance system 804, a fleet managementsystem 806, a route planning system 808, a remote database 810, and asales tool 812. Remote server 320 may be configured to store historicalinformation of virtual refuse vehicle 11 (e.g., to store time-seriesdata of all or some of the information received from controller 300corresponding to refuse vehicle 10), or to send historical informationof virtual refuse vehicle 11 for storage in remote database 810. In someembodiments, remote database 810 includes memory which may be anyvolatile or non-volatile computer-readable storage medium capable ofstoring data or computer code relevant to virtual refuse vehicle 11.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a block diagram of virtual refuse vehiclesystem 900 is shown in greater detail, according to an exemplaryembodiment. Remote server 320 is shown to include a circuit, shown asprocessing circuit 824, a processor, shown as processor 826, and memory,shown as memory 832, according to an exemplary embodiment. Remote server320 may be implemented as a general-purpose processor, an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gatearrays (FPGAs), a digital-signal-processor (DSP), circuits containingone or more processing components, circuitry for supporting amicroprocessor, a group of processing components, or other suitableelectronic processing components. According to the exemplary embodimentshown in FIG. 9, remote server 320 includes processing circuit 824 andmemory 832. Processing circuit 824 may include an ASIC, one or moreFPGAs, a DSP, circuits containing one or more processing components,circuitry for supporting a microprocessor, a group of processingcomponents, or other suitable electronic processing components (e.g.,processor 826). In some embodiments, processing circuit 824 isconfigured to execute computer code stored in memory 832 to facilitatethe activities described herein. Memory 832 may be any volatile ornon-volatile computer-readable storage medium capable of storing data orcomputer code relating to the activities described herein. According toan exemplary embodiment, memory 832 includes computer code modules(e.g., executable code, object code, source code, script code, machinecode, etc.) configured for execution by processing circuit 824 or byprocessor 826 communicably connected to memory 832 via processingcircuit 824. In some embodiments, remote server 320 may represent acollection of processing devices (e.g., servers, data centers, etc.). Insuch cases, processing circuit 824 represents the collective processorsof the devices, and memory 832 represents the collective storage devicesof the devices.

It should be understood that any of the functionality of remote server320 (e.g., the functionality of chassis manager 816, body manager 818,3^(rd) party manager 820, database 814, or virtual refuse truck manager822, etc.) may be performed by controller 300.

Referring still to FIG. 9, remote server 320 is shown to include a firstwireless radio, shown as input wireless radio 830, and a second wirelessradio, shown as output wireless radio 828, according to the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 9. Each of input wireless radio 830 and outputwireless radio 828 may be any kind of wireless transmitter and/orreceiver (e.g., a cellular dongle), configured to wirelesslycommunicably connect remote server 320 with at least one of controller300, remote database 810, personal computer device 316, ERP system 802,maintenance system 804, fleet management system 806, route planningsystem 808, sales tool 812, and a network, according to someembodiments. In some embodiments, each of input wireless radio 830 andoutput wireless radio 828 is a cellular dongle and is configured toprovide remote server 320 with Internet access by connecting remoteserver 320 to a cellular tower via a 2G network, a 3G network, an LTEnetwork, etc. In some embodiments, each of input wireless radio 830 andoutput wireless radio 828 communicates via Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee, etc.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, input wirelessradio 830 is configured to receive input data from controller 300. Theinput data received from controller 300 may be processed vehicle data(e.g., time series data), or unprocessed vehicle data, according to someembodiments. In some embodiments, the input data received fromcontroller 300 may be a combination of processed vehicle data (e.g.,time series data) and unprocessed vehicle data. If remote server 320receives unprocessed vehicle data from controller 300 through inputwireless radio 830, remote server 320 may be configured to process theunprocessed data, according to some embodiments. Remote server 320 isshown to include chassis manager 816, body manager 818, and third partymanager 820. In some embodiments, chassis manager 816 is chassis manager306 and is configured to process data in the same manner as describedabove in greater detail with reference to FIG. 4. In some embodiments,body manager 818 is body manager 308 and is configured to process datain the same manner as described above in greater detail with referenceto FIG. 5. In some embodiments, third party manager 820 is third partymanager 310 and is configured to process data in the same manner asdescribed above in greater detail with reference to FIG. 6. In someembodiments, each of chassis manager 816, body manager 818, and thirdparty manager 820 perform the same actions as chassis manager 306, bodymanager 308, and third party manager 310, as described above in greaterdetail with reference to FIGS. 4-6, and also perform additionalactions/processes.

Each of chassis manager 816, body manager 818, and third party manager820 may be configured to validate, sort, summarize, aggregate, report,filter, classify, group, etc., any of the input data (e.g., processedvehicle data and/or unprocessed vehicle data) using any of an equation,a set of equations, a set of rules, a lookup table, a graph, a set ofconditions, a decision tree, an algorithm, etc. In some embodiments, theequation, set of equations, set of rules, lookup table, graph, set ofconditions, decision tree, algorithm, etc., which each of chassismanager 816, body manager 818, and third party manager 820 use isdifferent. Each of chassis manager 816, body manager 818, and thirdparty manager 820 may be configured to supply the processed data tovirtual refuse vehicle manager 822. Virtual refuse vehicle manager 822may receive the data from each of chassis manager 816, body manager 818,and third party manager 820, and use the data to generate virtual refusevehicle 11. Virtual refuse vehicle manager 822 may generate both agraphical representation (e.g., a CAD model, a computer generated model,a wireframe model, etc.) of virtual refuse vehicle 11, as well asapplying information from the data supplied by each of chassis manager816, body manager 818, and third party manager 820 to virtual refusevehicle 11.

Virtual refuse vehicle manager 822 may be configured to output virtualrefuse vehicle 11 (e.g., the graphical representation of virtual refusevehicle 11 and/or the information of virtual refuse vehicle 11 receivedfrom each of chassis manager 816, body manager 818, and third partymanager 820) to at least one of database 814 and output wireless radio828. In some embodiments, virtual refuse vehicle manager 822outputs/writes virtual refuse vehicle 11 to database 814 after everytime virtual refuse vehicle 11 has been updated (e.g., an update to thegraphical representation of virtual refuse vehicle 11 and/or an updateto the information from any of chassis manager 816, body manager 818,and third party manager 820). Database 814 may store all of the data ofvirtual refuse vehicle 11 (e.g., the graphical representation of virtualrefuse vehicle 11 and/or the information of virtual refuse vehicle 11received from each of chassis manager 816, body manager 818, and thirdparty manager 820) in computer code, tabular form, etc., and may storethe data of virtual refuse vehicle 11 as historical data. In someembodiments, the historical data of virtual refuse vehicle 11 stored indatabase 814 may be accessed and output through output wireless radio828 to any of remote database 810, personal computer device 316, ERPsystem 802, maintenance system 804, fleet management system 806, routeplanning system 808, and sales tool 812. In some embodiments, database814 outputs the historical data of virtual refuse vehicle 11 based on arequest from any of remote database 810, personal computer device 316,ERP system 802, maintenance system 804, fleet management system 806,route planning system 808, sales tool 812, and a network.

Referring still to FIG. 9, remote server 320 is shown outputtinginformation regarding virtual refuse vehicle 11 to at least one ofremote database 810, personal computer device 316, ERP system 802,maintenance system 804, fleet management system 806, route planningsystem 808, and sales tool 812. In some embodiments, remote server 320outputs the graphical representation and/or the information of virtualrefuse vehicle 11 to at least one of remote database 810, personalcomputer device 316, ERP system 802, maintenance system 804, fleetmanagement system 806, route planning system 808, sales tool 812.Personal computer device 316 is shown displaying a graphicalrepresentation 836 of virtual refuse vehicle 11, as well as historicaldata of virtual refuse vehicle 11, according to some embodiments.

Referring still to FIG. 9, remote server 320 is shown outputtinginformation regarding virtual refuse vehicle 11 to remote database 810,according to some embodiments. Remote database 810 may be configured toreceive the information regarding virtual refuse vehicle 11 (e.g., thegraphical representation of virtual refuse vehicle 11 and/or theinformation of virtual refuse vehicle 11 received from each of chassismanager 816, body manager 818, and third party manager 820) and storethe information regarding virtual refuse vehicle 11. Remote database 810may include any volatile or non-volatile computer-readable storagemedium capable of storing data.

Remote server 320 may also be configured to receive the mapping from thecontroller 300. Remote server 320 can use the mapping and/or vehicleidentification number to provide particular data (e.g., processed orunprocessed vehicle data, time-series data, etc.) to a user in responseto receiving a request from a user device (e.g., personal computerdevice 316) or a system (e.g., ERP system 802, maintenance system 804,fleet management system 806, route planning system 808, sales tool 812,etc.) to view data obtained from a particular sensor, system, device,etc., of refuse vehicle 10. In some embodiments, the user may provide arequest (e.g., via personal computer device 316) to view additional,detailed, or historical information regarding a particular refusevehicle of a fleet of refuse vehicles, a particular system, sub-system,electronic control system, device, sensor, or a particular type of data(e.g., location and/or velocity) of a particular refuse vehicle. Remoteserver 320, or more particularly processor 826 or processing circuit824, can be configured to provide the requested data to the user (e.g.,via personal computer device 316) by using the mapping to retrieve therequested data (e.g., from database 814, from controller 300, etc.).

Referring now to FIG. 10, a representation of a virtual refuse vehiclesystem 1000 is shown, according to an illustrative embodiment. Virtualrefuse vehicle system is shown to include a refuse vehicle 1002,configured to communicate with a virtual refuse vehicle 1010. In someembodiments, refuse vehicle 1002 is configured to communicate withvirtual refuse vehicle 1010 through a controller (e.g., controller 300)or a transceiver. Refuse vehicle 1002 is shown collecting/monitoringinformation grouped into body information 1004, chassis information1006, and third party information 1008, according to some embodiments.In some embodiments, chassis information 1006 includes any informationregarding a chassis of refuse vehicle 1002 such as an ECU 1028, TCU1030, Virtual Engine Control Unit (VECU) 1032, fuel 1034, and otherchassis information 1036. Body information 1004 includes any informationregarding a body of refuse vehicle 1002 such as pneumatics 1012,hydraulics 1014, sensors 1016, cameras 1018, electronics 1020, HumanMachine Interface (HMI) 1022, GPS 1024, and other body information 1026.Third party information 1008 includes any information regarding a thirdparty system of refuse vehicle 1002 such as an object detection system1038, a driver behavior system 1040, an Advanced Driver AssistanceSystem (ADAS) 1042, a safety system 1044, a weight/weighing system 1046,and any other third party systems 1048. Refuse vehicle 1002 may transmitany of the body information 1004, chassis information 1006, and thirdparty information 1008 to virtual refuse vehicle 1010. Virtual refusevehicle 1010 may be a digital twin of refuse vehicle 1002, and mayinclude a graphical representation of refuse vehicle 1002, as well asincluding any of the body information 1004, chassis information 1006,and third party information 1008 of refuse vehicle 1002, according tosome embodiments.

Virtual refuse vehicle 1010 may be stored on a remote server (e.g.,remote server 320), and may be configured to be accessed by a variety ofapplications/systems/devices, such as any enterprise application 1062,sales tool 1060, route planning system 1058, fleet management system1056, maintenance system 1054, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system1052, and any other mobile applications 1050 (e.g., a personal computerdevice). In some embodiments, sales tool 1060 is sales tool 812, routeplanning system 1058 is route planning system 808, fleet managementsystem 1056 is fleet management system 806, fleet management system 1056is fleet management system 806, maintenance system 1054 is maintenancesystem 804, ERP system 1052 is ERP system 802, and other mobileapplications 1050 are at least one of remote database 810 and personalcomputer device 316, such that whatever is said of sales tool 1060,route planning system 1058, fleet management system 1056, maintenancesystem 1054, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system 1052, and othermobile applications 1050, may be said of sales tool 812, route planningsystem 808, fleet management system 806, maintenance system 804, ERPsystem 802, and at least one of remote database 810 and personalcomputer device 316, respectively, and vice versa. In some embodiments,refuse vehicle 1002 is at least one of refuse vehicle 10 and controller300, such that whatever is said of refuse vehicle 1002 may be said of atleast one of refuse vehicle 10 and controller 300 and vice versa.

In some embodiments, virtual refuse vehicle 1010 may represent more thanone refuse vehicle (e.g., a fleet of refuse vehicles) and may representa graphical representation and information pertaining to each of therefuse vehicles which define the fleet of refuse vehicles. In someembodiments, sales tool 1060 may be configured to analyze virtual refusevehicle 1010 or historical information of virtual refuse vehicle 1010for any sales applications. In some embodiments, route planning 1058 isconfigured to analyze virtual refuse vehicle 1010 or historicalinformation of virtual refuse vehicle 1010 to determine route changesfor refuse vehicle. In some embodiments, fleet management system 1056may be configured to analyze virtual refuse vehicle 1010 to determineand generate information regarding the fleet of refuse vehicles anddetermine decisions regarding the fleet of refuse vehicles (e.g.,increase the number of refuse vehicles which define the fleet). In someembodiments, maintenance system 1054 is configured to analyze virtualrefuse vehicle 1010 to identify if refuse vehicle 1002 or one of therefuse vehicles of the fleet require maintenance. In some embodiments,ERP system 1052 is configured to analyze virtual refuse vehicle 1010 todetermine upgrades and changes in deployment of refuse vehicle 1002 orto determine upgrades and changes to the fleet. In some embodiments,other mobile applications 1050 may access virtual refuse vehicle 1010,to display, analyze, monitor, and/or store virtual refuse vehicle 1010(e.g., other mobile applications 1050 may be a personal computer deviceor a remote database). In some embodiments, any other enterpriseapplications 1062 may access virtual refuse vehicle 1010 to analyze,monitor, store, make decisions based on, etc., virtual refuse vehicle1010.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a set of data 1100 for a fleet of refusevehicles is shown, according to an illustrative embodiment. The set ofdata 1100 may be a live-view of the fleet of refuse vehicles, or mayinclude historical data of the fleet of refuse vehicles. In someembodiments, the set of data 1100 is representative of informationstored on any of virtual refuse vehicle 1010, remote server 320,database 814, and remote database 810, and may be accessed/monitored byany of personal computer device 316, ERP system 802, maintenance system804, fleet management system 806, route planning system 808, sales tool812, ERP system 1052, maintenance system 1054, fleet management system1056, route planning system 1058, sales tool 1060, other mobileapplications 1050, and other enterprise applications 1062. The set ofdata 1100 for the fleet of refuse vehicles is shown to includeinformation regarding the status (and/or historical data) of multiplerefuse vehicles (or vehicles), each having a unique vehicle IDnumber/value. The set of data 1100 is shown to include speed, latitude,longitude, fuel level, arm angle, and engine RPM information for each ofthe refuse vehicles having unique vehicle ID numbers/values. In someembodiments, the set of data 1100 may include time-series data, livedata, and/or historical data of at least one virtual refuse vehicle. Insome embodiments, the set of data 1100 includes any of the informationretrieved/monitored by a controller (e.g., controller 300) of each ofthe refuse vehicles. For example, the set of data 1100 shows thatvehicle ID No 111A153B1 is travelling at a speed of 55 mph, has aspecific geographic location (e.g., latitude and longitude), a specificfuel level (e.g., 95.4%), a specific arm angle (e.g., 0 degrees), and aspecific engine RPM (e.g., 2501 revolutions per minute). The set of data1100 may be received, monitored, and analyzed by any of the abovementioned systems, devices, and/or applications.

For example, the maintenance system 1054 and/or the maintenance system804 may analyze the set of data 1100 and determine that the engine RPMof a specific vehicle exceeds a maximum threshold value, and that thespecific vehicle must be brought in for maintenance. In another example,a fleet management system (e.g., fleet management system 1056 and/orfleet management system 806) may analyze the set of data 1100 andmonitor the geographic location (e.g., latitude and longitude) of eachof the vehicles, and determine that a cost savings can be achieved byreducing the number of vehicles in a fleet, while still achieving thesame benefits (e.g., still performing all of a number of routes of thefleet in a timely manner). In another example, the maintenance system(e.g., maintenance system 1054 and/or maintenance system 804) maymonitor the arm angle of the vehicles and determine that a specificvehicle (e.g., vehicle 111A154C8) has an arm malfunction since the armangle of the specific vehicle has not returned to a rest point (e.g., 0degrees) over the course of a route of the specific vehicle or whilebeing driven (e.g., the arm angle has not returned to the rest point of0 degrees but is still being driven at a speed greater than 0 mph).

Referring now to FIG. 12, a process 1200 for collecting data from atleast one vehicle (e.g., a refuse vehicle) and generating a virtualvehicle (e.g., a virtual refuse vehicle) is shown, according to anexemplary embodiment. Process 1200 includes steps 1202-1212, accordingto some embodiments. Process 1200 can be performed by controller 300,virtual refuse vehicle system 1000, virtual refuse vehicle system 900,virtual refuse vehicle system 800, etc. Process 1200 facilitates datastorage and retrieval by using a virtual refuse vehicle (e.g., a dataobject) that may include visualizations or provide desired data to auser in response to a request.

Process 1200 includes retrieving data with a controller from at leastone of a chassis of a refuse vehicle, a body of the refuse vehicle and athird party system of the refuse vehicle (step 1202), according to someembodiments. Step 1202 may be performed by controller 300 in conjunctionwith any of the above mentioned systems/devices/sensors which controller300 may be configured to retrieve/receive information/data from or whichcontroller 300 can operate or with which controller 300 communicates.For example, step 1202 can include retrieving chassis information 1006from any of, or regarding any of, an ECU 1028, a TCU 1030, a VECU 1032,fuel 1034 (e.g., from a fuel sensor, or any of the aforementionedsystems), or any other chassis information 1036 (shown in FIG. 10). Step1202 can also include retrieving or receiving third party information1008 from any of object detection system 1038, driver behavior system1040, ADAS 1042, safety system 1044, weight/weighing system 1046, andany other third party systems 1048 (shown in FIG. 10).

Process 1204 includes processing the data from the chassis, the body,and the third party system of the refuse vehicle (step 1204) andtransmitting at least one of the processed and/or unprocessed data ofthe chassis, the body, or the third party systems of the refuse vehicleto a remote server (step 1206), according to some embodiments. Step 1204may include determining time-series data of any of the information/datafrom the chassis, the body, and at least one of the third party systemsof the refuse vehicle. Step 1204 may be performed by at least one ofcontroller 300, and remote server 320, according to some embodiments.Step 1206 may be performed by controller 300, configured to communicablyconnect with remote server 320 to transmit any of the above mentioneddata to remote server 320, according to some embodiments.

Step 1206 may also include transmitting any of the above mentioned datato a personal computer device (e.g., personal computer device 316),according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, personal computerdevice 316 is a technician computer device and is configured tocommunicably connect with controller 300 to receive any of the abovementioned information via at least one of a Bluetooth connection, aZigbee connection, and/or any other wireless transmission.

Process 1200 includes applying and/or generating a virtual refusevehicle with the processed data (step 1208), according to someembodiments. Step 1208 may be performed by remote server 320, or by oneor more modules of remote server 320, according to some embodiments. Thevirtual refuse vehicle may be a data object that includes avisualization, a graphical representation, etc., of an actual refusevehicle. The virtual refuse vehicle may be a model of the actual refusevehicle or a display object that can include or store various sensor oroperational data of the actual refuse vehicle as obtained from varioussensors, systems, etc., of the actual refuse vehicle.

Process 1200 includes allowing the virtual refuse vehicle to be accessedby multiple systems and/or personal computer devices (step 1210),according to some embodiments. Step 1210 may be performed by any ofremote server 320 and remote database 810, according to someembodiments. Step 1210 can include establishing communication (e.g.,wireless communication) between the controller and the various systemsand/or personal computer devices or a remote sever. For example, theremote server may store the virtual refuse vehicle, establishcommunication with the various personal computer devices and provide thevirtual refuse vehicle to the various personal computer devices.

Process 1200 includes storing time series data of the virtual refusevehicle in a remote database and allowing the remote database to beaccessed (step 1212), according to some embodiments. Step 1212 may beperformed by remote server 320, remote database 810, and/or controller300, according to some embodiments. Step 1212 can include storing thevirtual refuse vehicle at the remote database as well as any otherinformation relating to the virtual refuse vehicle (e.g., graphicalrepresentation data, 3d objects, time-series data, real-time sensordata, historical data, operational data, manufacturer data, part numberdata, serial numbers, etc.). Step 1212 can include allowing ERP system1052, maintenance system 1054, fleet management system 1056, routeplanning system 1058, sales tool 1060, other enterprise applications1062, or other mobile applications 1050 to access the virtual refusevehicle or the information relating to or regarding the virtual refusevehicle so that such systems, tools, applications, etc., may use theinformation to perform their corresponding functionality or analyze theinformation of the virtual refuse vehicle.

Process 1200 includes operating a display to provide a graphicalrepresentation of the virtual refuse vehicle and/or providinginformation regarding the virtual refuse vehicle to a user (step 1214),according to some embodiments. Step 1214 can include operating personalcomputer device 316, or any other display device to provide thegraphical representation of the virtual refuse vehicle to the user inaddition to any information relating to the virtual refuse vehicle.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a system, shown as virtual refuse vehiclesystem 1300 is shown, according to some embodiments. Virtual refusevehicle system 1300 is shown to include a controller, shown ascontroller 1308 receiving data from a variety of inputs, such as achassis system input, shown as ECU 1306, and sensor input, shown assensors 1302, according to some embodiments. Controller 1308 is alsoshown outputting commands (e.g., control signals) to controllabledevices, shown as actuators 1304, and ECU 1306 (or any othercontrollable chassis system), according to some embodiments. Controller1308 is shown communicably connected with a user interface, shown astouch display 1310 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments,controller 1308 may also receive information or send commands (e.g.,control signals) to/from a third party system. In some embodiments,sensors 1302 are any of the inputs described above in greater detailwith reference to FIGS. 1-6 (e.g., any of the body inputs). In someembodiments, actuators 1304 are any of the controllable devicesdescribed above in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 1-6. In someembodiments, ECU 1306 is any vehicle systems (e.g., ECU, TCU, etc.),described in greater detail above with reference to FIGS. 1-6. In someembodiments, controller 1308 and/or touch display 1310 is/are controller300 and is/are configured to perform any of the operation of controller300, described in greater detail above with reference to FIGS. 1-6. Insome embodiments, controller 1308 and/or touch display 1310 is/areconfigured to perform any or all of the operations of remote server 320,described above in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 8-9. Forexample, controller 1308 and/or touch display 1310 may be configured togenerate virtual refuse vehicle 11, and store at least one of a presentstatus of virtual refuse vehicle 11 and historical status/operation ofvirtual refuse vehicle 11 locally.

Touch display 1310 may be configured to display a graphicalrepresentation of virtual refuse vehicle 11 to a user and allow the userto monitor a present operational status of virtual refuse vehicle 11, orto view historical data of virtual refuse vehicle 11. In someembodiments, touch display 1310 may be configured to receive a commandfrom a user and adjust an operation of refuse vehicle 11 throughcontroller 1308. Touch display 1310 may be further configured totransmit any information regarding virtual refuse vehicle 11 (e.g., apresent operational status, historical data, a graphical representation,etc.), to a database, shown as database 1312. In some embodiments, touchdisplay 1310 includes wireless radio 318 and functions similarly tocontroller 300, as described in greater detail above with reference toFIG. 3. Touch display 1310 may further be configured to facilitate agraphical and data-oriented representation of virtual refuse vehicle 11to the user, and allow the user to monitor and/or control refuse vehicle10 through virtual refuse vehicle 11, according to some embodiments. Insome embodiments, touch display 1310 includes a processing circuit,processor, and memory, and acts as a high-level controller and a userinterface.

In some embodiments, controller 1308 is controller 300 and is configuredto instantiate a virtual refuse vehicle 11 as a virtual refuse datastructure (e.g., an object) using object oriented programming. In someembodiments, the virtual refuse data structure is a standard datatemplate and includes a variety of smaller objects. For example, virtualrefuse data template may include various classes of smaller objects(e.g., a fuel system, a chassis, an ECU, a TCU, sensors, etc.). Each ofthe objects included in virtual refuse vehicle 11 may include a specificvalue, set of values, historical data, attributes, methods, etc.,relevant to an operation or historical operation of each of an object ofthe refuse vehicle 10, according to some embodiments. In someembodiments, the virtual refuse vehicle 11 may be provided to a varietyof other applications (as described in greater detail above withreference to FIGS. 8-10), through a common interface (e.g., APIs),allowing the variety of other applications to access and interact withthe virtual refuse vehicle 11 without requiring the variety of otherapplications to process the instantiating of the virtual refuse vehicle11 or be provided access to a specific physical make-up of the refusevehicle 10.

In some embodiments, virtual refuse vehicle 11 may be stored locally inany of controller 1308, controller 300, touch display 1310, etc.,similarly to storage in remote server 320 as describe in greater detailabove with reference to FIG. 9. In some embodiments, any of controller1308, controller 300, touch display 1310, etc., immediately transmitvirtual refuse vehicle 11, or any information relevant to virtual refusevehicle 11 to another storage device or application.

The invention of the present disclosure provides many advantages andbenefits. The invention may provide a unified data collection system fora vehicle (e.g., a refuse vehicle), which monitors and receivesinformation/data from any modules, computer systems, devices, andsensors present on the vehicle. For example, the unified data collectionsystem may communicably connect with a vehicle bus and maycollect/transmit information from the vehicle bus. The present inventionalso discloses processing information from the unified data collectionsystem into meaningful data (e.g., time series data) which may betransmitted to a remote server or device and used to generate a digitaltwin. The digital twin may include all of the data/information collectedby the unified data collection system and may further include agraphical representation of the vehicle and historical information ofthe vehicle. The digital twin may be stored on the remote server, andmay be easily accessed by a variety of business systems, maintenancesystems, enterprise systems, etc., in order to provide detailed insightinto various aspects of the vehicle or a fleet of vehicles.Additionally, the digital twin and historical information may be used tomake more informed decisions regarding business, maintenance, orenterprise decisions regarding the vehicle or the fleet of vehicles.

The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems, and programproducts on any machine-readable media for accomplishing variousoperations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implementedusing existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computerprocessor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or anotherpurpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of thepresent disclosure include program products comprising machine-readablemedia for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or datastructures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be anyavailable media that can be accessed by a general purpose or specialpurpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example,such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROMor other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or storedesired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions ordata structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Wheninformation is transferred or provided over a network or anothercommunications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combinationof hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views theconnection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such connection isproperly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above arealso included within the scope of machine-readable media.Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions anddata which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer,or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function orgroup of functions.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,”and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art towhich the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should beunderstood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure thatthese terms are intended to allow a description of certain featuresdescribed and claimed without restricting the scope of these features tothe precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms shouldbe interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in theappended claims.

It should be noted that the terms “exemplary” and “example” as usedherein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that suchembodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrationsof possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote thatsuch embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, as used herein, mean thejoining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Suchjoining may be stationary (e.g., permanent, etc.) or moveable (e.g.,removable, releasable, etc.). Such joining may be achieved with the twomembers or the two members and any additional intermediate members beingintegrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with thetwo members or the two members and any additional intermediate membersbeing attached to one another.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below,” “between,” etc.) are merely used to describe theorientation of various elements in the figures. It should be noted thatthe orientation of various elements may differ according to otherexemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to beencompassed by the present disclosure.

Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in itsexclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list ofelements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in thelist. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, andZ,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood withthe context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may beeither X, Y, Z, X and Y, X and Z, Y and Z, or X, Y, and Z (i.e., anycombination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive language is notgenerally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at leastone of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present,unless otherwise indicated.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of thesystems as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only.Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have beendescribed in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosurewill readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g.,variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions ofthe various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, useof materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departingfrom the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited.For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed ofmultiple parts or elements. It should be noted that the elements and/orassemblies of the components described herein may be constructed fromany of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength ordurability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, andcombinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of the present inventions. Othersubstitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in thedesign, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and otherexemplary embodiments without departing from scope of the presentdisclosure or from the spirit of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for digital twinning a refuse vehicle,the system comprising: a refuse vehicle comprising: a sensor; a device;and an electronic control system; a controller configured to: receive aplurality of datasets from at least one of the sensor, the device, orthe electronic control system; generate a virtual refuse vehicle basedon the plurality of datasets, the virtual refuse vehicle comprising avisual representation of the refuse vehicle and the plurality ofdatasets; operate a display of a user device to provide the visualrepresentation of the refuse vehicle and one or more of the plurality ofdatasets to a user; wherein the virtual refuse vehicle comprises currentdata and historical data received from at least one of the sensor, thedevice, or the electronic control system.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein: one or more of the plurality of datasets relate to chassisinformation of the refuse vehicle; one or more of the plurality ofdatasets relate to body information of the refuse vehicle; and one ormore of the plurality of datasets relate to third party information ofthe refuse vehicle.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the electroniccontrol system comprises at least one of an engine control unit (ECU), atransmission control unit (TCU), a powertrain control module (PCM), abrake control module (BCM), a central control module (CCM), a centraltiming module (CTM), a general electronic module (GEM), a body controlmodule (BCM), a suspension control module (SCM), a traction controlmodule, an airbag module, an anti-theft module, a cruise control module,an electronic steering module, a fuel pump control module, an injectordriver module, an instrument cluster control module, a keyless entrymodule, a lighting module, a transfer case module, a wiper motor controlmodule, or a vehicle communications module.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the controller is configured to: convert the plurality ofdatasets from the sensor, the device, and the electronic control systemof the refuse vehicle to time-series data; and generate the virtualrefuse vehicle based on the time-series data.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the controller is configured to operate the display of the userdevice to provide the current data or the historical data received fromat least one of the sensor, the device, or the electronic control systemin response to receiving a user input at the user device.
 6. A systemfor digital twinning a refuse vehicle, the system comprising: a refusevehicle comprising: a sensor; a device; and an electronic controlsystem; a controller configured to: receive a plurality of datasets fromat least one of the sensor, the device, or the electronic controlsystem; generate a virtual refuse vehicle based on the plurality ofdatasets, the virtual refuse vehicle comprising a visual representationof the refuse vehicle and the plurality of datasets; operate a displayof a user device to provide the visual representation of the refusevehicle and one or more of the plurality of datasets to a user; receivea user command to adjust an operation of the refuse vehicle from theuser device; generate control signals for a corresponding of theelectronic control system; and operate the refuse vehicle using thecontrol signals.
 7. A method for displaying information of a refusevehicle, the method comprising: obtaining a plurality of datasets from asensor, a device, or a system of the refuse vehicle; generating adigital twin of the refuse vehicle, the digital twin comprising: theplurality of datasets; and a graphical representation of the refusevehicle; receiving a request, at a user device, to display the digitaltwin of the refuse vehicle; and operating a display of the user deviceto provide the graphical representation of the refuse vehicle and one ormore of the plurality of datasets in response to the request; whereinthe plurality of datasets comprise current operational and historicaloperational data of the sensor, the device, or the system of the refusevehicle.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of datasets areobtained from: a chassis sensor, a chassis device, or a chassis systemof the refuse vehicle; a body sensor, a body device, or a body system ofthe refuse vehicle; and a third party sensor, a third party device, or athird party system of the refuse vehicle.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein the chassis sensor, the chassis device, or the chassis systemcomprises any of: an engine control unit (ECU); a transmission controlunit (TCU); a virtual engine control unit (VECU); or a fuel sensor. 10.The method of claim 8, wherein the body sensor, the body device, or thebody system of the refuse vehicle comprise any of: a sensor for apneumatic device of the refuse vehicle; a sensor for a hydraulic deviceof the refuse vehicle; a camera; a human machine interface (HMI); or aglobal positioning system (GPS).
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein thethird party sensor, the third party device, or the third party system ofthe refuse vehicle comprise any of: an object detection system; a driverbehavior system; an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS); a safetysystem; or a weighing system.
 12. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising: receiving a command, at the user device, to adjust anoperation of a system of the refuse vehicle; generating control signalsfor the system of the refuse vehicle in response to the command; andoperating the system of the refuse vehicle according to the controlsignals.
 13. A method for displaying information of a refuse vehicle,the method comprising: obtaining a plurality of datasets from a sensor,a device, or a system of the refuse vehicle; generating a digital twinof the refuse vehicle, the digital twin comprising: the plurality ofdatasets; and a graphical representation of the refuse vehicle;receiving a request, at a user device, to display the digital twin ofthe refuse vehicle; operating a display of the user device to providethe graphical representation of the refuse vehicle and one or more ofthe plurality of datasets in response to the request; and providing thevirtual refuse vehicle to at least one of a sales tool, a route planningsystem, a fleet management system, a maintenance system, or anenterprise resource planning system.
 14. A method for displayinginformation of a refuse vehicle, the method comprising: obtaining aplurality of datasets from a sensor, a device, or a system of the refusevehicle; generating a digital twin of the refuse vehicle, the digitaltwin comprising: the plurality of datasets; and a graphicalrepresentation of the refuse vehicle; receiving a request, at a userdevice, to display the digital twin of the refuse vehicle; operating adisplay of the user device to provide the graphical representation ofthe refuse vehicle and one or more of the plurality of datasets inresponse to the request; receiving a request, at the user device, todisplay data relating to a specific sensor, a specific device, or aspecific system of the refuse vehicle; and operating the display toprovide one or more of the plurality of datasets that correspond to thespecific sensor, the specific device, or the specific system of therefuse vehicle.
 15. A cloud computing system for a plurality of refusevehicles, the cloud computing system comprising: a cloud devicecomprising a processor configured to: wirelessly communicate with aplurality of refuse vehicle controllers to obtain operational data ofeach of the plurality of refuse vehicles, each of the plurality ofrefuse vehicle controllers positioned locally at a corresponding refusevehicle; generate a digital twin for each of the plurality of refusevehicles using the operational data, the digital twin comprising agraphical representation of the corresponding refuse vehicle and theoperational data corresponding to the refuse vehicle; and provide any ofthe plurality of digital twins to at least one of a sales tool, a routeplanning system, a fleet management system, or an enterprise resourceplanning system; and a user device comprising a processor and a display,the processor of the user device configured to: receive one or more ofthe digital twins from the processor of the cloud device; and operatethe display of the user device to provide the graphical representationof the one or more digital twins and the operational data thatcorresponds to the one or more digital twins.
 16. The cloud computingsystem of claim 15, wherein the processor of the cloud device isconfigured to store the plurality of digital twins in a database. 17.The cloud computing system of claim 15, wherein the operational data ofeach of the plurality of refuse vehicles is time-series data collectedby the controllers of the refuse vehicles from the sensors, systems, ordevices of the refuse vehicle over a time period.